EXPERTISE
I am an integrative evolutionary biologist interested in the both the mechanisms that underlie sexual heteromorphisms and how evolution shaped those mechanisms. My comparative approach can be applied to a wide range of vertebrate species and phenotypes such as ornamentation, competition, mate choice, and parental care. The integrative viewpoint is built upon a wide range of training I have received: from evolutionary theory and population genetics, to benchwork in molecular techniques such as nucleotide and hormonal extractions, to behavioral observations and husbandry, to field data and specimen collections, to computational approaches such as multivariate modeling and numerous bioinformatic approaches. My computational work across a range of genetic and genomic investigations has used and developed tools for genomic reconstruction/annotation, transcriptomic analysis, population genetics, ChIPseq analysis, and genome-wide scans. With a diverse array of training my skills are transferrable across numerous organisms, though my main focus is currently on pipefishes and cichlids. My central hypothesis, the Ancestral Modulation Hypothesis builds on and integrates these approaches to investigate my focal questions of which regulatory mechanisms coincide with emergent sexual heteromorphisms and which regulatory mechanisms coincide with cross-sexual transfers
FACULTY APPOINTMENTS
Reed College, Portland, OR, 2019-2020 and 2022-2024
Visiting Assistant Professor, Biology
Research Lab Composition: 6 Senior Thesis Students, 4 Post-Baccalaureate Students, 5 Summer Research Students, and 9 Student Workers.
Courses Taught: Animal Behavior and Lab (~25 Students), Topics in Biology and Lab (~120 Students), Seminar in Sexual Selection, Guest Speaker, and Evolution’s Rainbow (~10 Students).
Miami Sunset Senior High School, Miami, FL 2006-2010
Teacher
Courses Taught: Marine Science 1, Marine Science 2 (Special Topics in Marine Science), Chemistry.
Tennis Coach and Dungeons and Dragons Club
Herbert A. Ammons Middle School 2006
Semester-long Substitute
Course Taught: 8th Grade General Science
RESEARCH APPOINTMENTS
Reed College, Portland, OR, 2020-2022, and 2024-Present
Visiting Scholar
Principal Investigator (2024-Present) and National Science Foundation Post-Doctoral Research Fellow (2020-2022)
Investigation of the Ancestral Modulation Rule, a proposed rule for reversal of sex-biased traits. Using two cichlid fish species, Julidochromis, that show plasticity in behavioral roles by sex, I am investigating the hormonal controls and transcriptomic patterns underlying these behaviors and comparing across sex and species to see if those processes are conserved.
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Charleston, SC, 2010-2013
Research Assistant
Processed samples from managed/monitored fish species (striped bass, red drum, spotted sea trout, cobia) in the region for microsatellites and produced internal and external reports on the population genetics of these stocks. Also worked on husbandry of aqua-cultured fish on site and aided in collections of samples.
Tennessee Aquarium Research Institute, Chattanooga, TN, 2001 and 2002 (Summer)
Research Assistant
Maintained large freshwater species (catfishes, gar, carp) at off-site location and participated in rearing and release of lake sturgeon for supplementation in Tennessee River. Also participated in description of parasitic copepod found in the gills of spotted stingray.
FUNDED GRANTS
National Science Foundation-Division of Environmental Biology (Evolutionary Processes Cluster): Research Grant Award #2147567: RUI: The Ancestral Modulation Hypothesis: predicting hormonal regulation of sex-biased traits ($250,000). PI Andrew Anderson. 2022-2025
National Science Foundation-Research Experience for Post-Baccalaureate Students supplement to Award #2147567 ($71,072). PI Andrew Anderson. 2022-2023
National Science Foundation-Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Biology: Award #2010841: Investigation of the Ancestral Modulation Rule, a proposed rule for reversal of sex-biased traits ($217,000). Fellow: Andrew Anderson. 2020-2022, 2024-Present.
Reed College Stillman-Drake Fund ($5,000). 2019-2020
EDUCATION
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 2013-2019
Ph.D. Biology—Adviser: Adam G. Jones
“Implication of Estrogen Response Elements in Expression of Secondary Sex-Traits in the Sex-Role Reversed Gulf Pipefish, Syngnathus scovelli”
This project sought to link an estrogen-induced trait with a surplus of proximal transcription-factor binding sites that are bound by the estrogen receptor. Other work included the rearing of pipefishes and observing mate choice behaviors
Relevant Coursework: Genes, Behavior, and Evolution; Paleo-ecology, Phylogenetics, Evolutionary Theory
College of Charleston, Charleston, SC, 2010-2013
M.S. Marine Biology—Advisers: Michael R. Denson and Tanya L. Darden
Past and Present Genetic Structure of Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) in the Carolinas and Effects From Stock Enhancement
This project used historical samples (otoliths) and current collections across multiple years (fin clips) of nearly 600 striped bass from 6 different watersheds in the Carolinas to assess the connectedness and genetic health of these populations as well as the effects of enhancement activities.
Relevant Coursework: Biometry, Marine Molecular Ecology, Physiology and Cell Biology of Marine Organisms; Ecology of Marine Organisms; Diversity of Fishes
University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, 2000-2004
B.S. Marine Science/Biology—Adviser: Don Olson
Relevant Coursework: Introduction to Marine Science; Introduction to Marine Biology; General Biology; Evolution and Biodiversity; Research Diving Techniques; Ecology; Cell & Molecular Biology; General Physiology; Genetics; Animal Behavior; Biometry; Invertebrate Zoology; Biological Oceanographic Techniques;
PUBLICATIONS (* = mentee)
PRE-PUBLICATIONS (* = mentee)
MENTORSHIP (*=Publication with mentee, ^=Mentee presentation at conference, t=in prep publication)
Undergraduate Thesis Students—Reed College
· Fiona Noble^—2025: Hormonal variation in two biparental cichlid species, Julidochromis sp., when undergoing a change in relative partner size
· Adela Reuter—2025: Mate choice and hybridization between two biparental cichlid species, Julidochromis sp., with different behavioral preferences
· Isabelle Laun^—2024: Acoustic patterns in biparental cichlid species, Julidochromis sp., based on sex, size and species.
· Josh Stueckle^t—2024: Non-dominant females and decisions on continued broodcare in a maternal mouthbrooding cichlid: Astatotilapia burtoni
· Helena Dobieckat—2024: Transcriptomic patterns of the brain while performing social roles following cross-sexual transfer in a biparental cichlid: Julidochromis transcriptus
· Bean Fischer^—2023: Neurotensin expression across brain regions of Astatotilapia burtoni during mouthbrooding
· Jaden Nichols—2023: Behavior of captive chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes, in the Oregon Zoo during introduction of new troop members
· Brendan Mobley*^—2022: Description of chromosome numbers in a subfamily of gourami (Luciocephalinae) with rapid changes in chromosome count
Post-Baccalaureate Researchers—Reed College
· Josh Stueckle^t—2024: Non-dominant females and decisions on continued broodcare in a maternal mouthbrooding cichlid: Astatotilapia burtoni
· Helena Dobieckat—2024: Transcriptomic patterns of the brain while performing social roles following cross-sexual transfer in a biparental cichlid: Julidochromis transcriptus
· Brendan Mobley*^—Current: Description of chromosome numbers in a subfamily of gourami (Luciocephalinae) with rapid changes in chromosome count
· Ry Dennis*^—2022: Plasticity of sex-biased aggression in response to the sex of territory intruders in an African cichlid fish, Julidochromis marlieri.
Undergraduate Summer Researchers
· Willa Cantlon^t—2024: Gonadal steroid hormone changes with social role in a biparental cichlid with female dominant behaviors, Julidochromis marlieri.
· Tia Hendel^—2024: Gonadal steroid receptor activity in brain of Julidochromis transcriptus via validation of receptor antibodies.
· Isabelle Laun^—2023: Acoustic patterns in biparental cichlid species, Julidochromis sp., based on sex, size and species.
· Josh Stueckle^t—2023: Non-dominant females and decisions on continued broodcare in a maternal mouthbrooding cichlid: Astatotilapia burtoni
· Fiona Noble^t—2023: Hormonal correlates of plastic parental roles based on relative size and sex in a biparental cichlid, Julidochromis transcriptus.
Undergraduate Workers—Reed College (Fish Room Husbandry)
· Anais Belfour—2024
· Willa Cantlon—2024
· Tia Hendel—2024
· Kat Benjamin—2023-2024
· Shi Zhang Xu—2023
· Isabelle Luan—2022-2024
· Josh Stueckle—2022-2024
· Charlie Ball—2022-2023
· Adam Eubanks—2019-2020
· Sammi Goldberg—2019-2020
Undergraduate Mentees—Texas A&M University
· Caitlin Gabehart—2017: Network analysis of transcriptomes in Gulf pipefish
· Erin Dooley—2016: Behavioral observations of mating Gulf pipefish
· Paul Hale—2015: Trait measure and rearing to F2 generation of Gulf pipefish
· Elvira Maynard—2015: Trait measures and rearing to F2 generation of Gulf pipefish
· Andrea Martinez—2014: Growth measures of Gulf pipefish
· Keren Herrera—2014: Growth measures of Gulf pipefish
INVITED SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
· TBD: Portand State University. 2025
· The Ancestral Modulation Hypothesis: Explaining diverse mechanisms of regulation in sexually heteromorphic traits. Illinois State University. 2024
· The Ancestral Modulation Hypothesis: Explaining diverse mechanisms of regulation in sexually heteromorphic traits. Union College. 2024
· The Ancestral Modulation Hypothesis: Explaining diverse mechanisms of regulation in sexually heteromorphic traits. Tarleton State University. 2024
· The Ancestral Modulation Hypothesis: Explaining mechanisms of sex diversity. Reed College. 2024
· The Ancestral Modulation Hypothesis: Explaining mechanisms of sex diversity. Mississippi State University. 2024
· The Ancestral Modulation Hypothesis: Using a framework to predict and describe mechanisms of variation in sexually heteromorphic traits. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. 2023
· A proposed hypothesis for predicting regulation of sex-biased traits using evolutionary history. SICB. Sex variation and Diversity Symposium. 2023
· Investigating hormone response elements and their role in sexual selection using pipefish and cichlids. University of South Alabama. 2021
· Genomic sex-steroid response elements and their interaction with sexual selection: Pipefish to primates. University of Bielefeld. 2020
· Interaction between sexual selection and sex hormone response elements: From Pipefish to Primates. Interdisciplinary Faculty of Reproductive Biology Annual Retreat, 2018
· Parenting, sex-role reversal, and gouramis. Texas A&M Aquarist Club. 2015
· Past and present genetic structure of striped bass Morone saxatilis in the Carolinas. Texas A&M EEB Seminar. 2014
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Transcriptomic patterns of behavioral cross-sexual transfer in a biparental cichlid, Julidochromis SICB. 2025
Using a fish with biparental care to investigate mechanisms of cross-sexual transfer. Evolution. 2024
Who stays home? Parental role, plasticity, cross-sexual transfer, and hormones in a cichlid genus. SICB 2024
The Ancestral Modulation hypothesis: Predicting regulation of sex-biased traits using evolutionary history. Evo-WIBO, 2023
The Ancestral Modulation Hypothesis: using evolutionary history to predict mechanisms underlying sex-biased trait expression. SICB+, 2022
· The Ancestral Modulation Hypothesis. Evolution, 2021.
· Transcriptional patterns of a secondary sex trait in the sex-role reversed pipefish, Syngnathus scovelli. Evolution, 2018.
· Determining genomic signatures of sexual selection in primates utilizing sex hormone response elements. Evolution, 2016.
· Determining genomic signatures of sexual selection in primates utilizing sex hormone response elements. Ecological Integration Symposium, Texas A&M, 2016.
· Past and present genetic structure of striped bass Morone saxatilis in the Carolinas. Aquaculture. 2013.
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
Runaway chromosome evolution in a clade of freshwater fish. Evo-WIBO, 2023
· Interaction of relative size and sex in parental roles in a biparental brooding cichlid, Julidochromis transcriptus. SICB+, 2022
· A genus of gouramis, Sphaerichthys, as a novel system for investigating evolution of transitions of sex-roles in brood care and sexual selection. SICB, 2020.
· Determining genomic signatures of sexual selection utilizing sex hormone response elements. PEQG, 2018.
· Past and present genetic structure of striped bass Morone saxatilis in the Carolinas. American Fisheries Society, 2012.
OUTREACH AND SERVICE
Panelist—National Science Foundation, Post-doctoral Research Fellowship in Biology (Feb, 2025)
Ad hoc reviewer—National Science Foundation Division of Environmental Biology (Evolutionary Processes Cluster)
Peer Review for Journals:
Journal of Heredity; Journal of Mammalogy; North American Journal of Fisheries Management;
Journal of Molecular Ecology; Hormones and Behavior; Ecology and Evolution; Evolution; Fishes
Reed College Outreach—Developed materials for unique outreach on diversity of sex through a card game designed for multiple educational levels
Texas A&M Introductory Biology Materials—Texas A&M 2018.
Development of lab materials and online presenter for pre-lab instruction
Biology Outreach Committee—Texas A&M. 2013-2017.
Committee Member
Student Appeals—Texas A&M. 2014-2018.
Appeals Panelist—Student Representative
Graduate Student Government—Texas A&M. 2014.
Biology Representative
Curriculum Advisory Panel—College of Charleston. 2011-2012.
Student Representative
ADDITIONAL EDUCATION
Miami-Dade Community College, Miami, FL, 2007-2008
Education Certification, Non-Degree Seeking
Relevant Coursework: Introduction to Education; Measurement, Evaluation and Assessment in Education; Classroom Management & Communication; Methods in Teaching Science I
ADDITIONAL TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Teaching Assistant—Texas A&M University, 2013-2019
Marine Biology; Genes, Ecology, Evolution; Anatomy and Physiology; Introductory Biology (Honors); Introductory Biology Development
GRE Prep Instructor—Kaplan Inc., 2011-2018
CERTICATIONS
SCUBA Open Water Diver—1994-Present
PADI
Science Research Diver—2002-2003
University of Miami